Ecological-Succession_and_Climax-Communities-12.pptx

Ecological Succession and Climax Communities

1. Changes in Ecosystems: Ecological Succession and Climax Communities BY: LAUNIO , MICHELLE JOY L. LLAMAS , RONNIEL O. BSN 4-A

2. What is Ecological Succession? It is the process by which the structure of a biological community (that is an interacting group in various species in a desert, forest grassland marine environment and so on) evolves time.

3. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 3 There are two main types of Ecological Succession Primary Succession: The process of creating life in an area where no life previously existed. Secondary Succession: The process of re-stabilization that follows a disturbance in an area where life has formed an ecosystem.

4. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 4 Primary Succession The development of an ecosystem in an area that has never had a community living within it occurs by a process called PRIMARY SUCCESSION . An example of an area in which a community has never lived before, would be a new lava or rock from a volcano that makes a new island.

5. Primary Succession Begins in a place without any soil In the beginning there is only rock, sand, volcanic ash. Since there is no soil, there is no community. Why is there no soil ? In order for there to be soil there must be nutrients like nitrogen. So … why is there no soil?

6. Primary Succession Lichens begin growing on the rocks. Over many years lichens break down rock into sand. Weathering and erosion break down rock into sand.

7. Primary Succession Lichens that do not need soil to survive Called PIONEER SPECIES (Why ?) Lichens grow larger. Some die. Decomposers arrive and break down the lichens. The dead lichens and waste materials of the decomposers enrich the sand. Nitrogen cycle begins. Eventually enough nutrients enter the sand and it becomes soil.

8. Primary Succession Seeds are blown in by the wind or carried in by animals. Simple plants like mosses can grow in the new soil The plants grow and the soil gets enriched as plants die .. Herbs and weeds can grow in the thicker, enriched soil

9. Primary Succession The simple plants die, adding more organic material The soil layer thickens, and grasses, wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over Medium sized animals and birds make this their habitat. The vegetation grows closer together, reducing the amount of space available for growing. Competition between lichen and shrubs for the same space. Eventually one species (lichen) will die out (or move) and the other species will survive ( shrubs). http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu

10. Primary Succession These plants die, and they add more nutrients to the soil Shrubs and tress can survive now Insects, small birds, and mammals have begun to move in What was once bare rock now supports a variety of life These plants die, and they add more nutrients to the soil Now larger trees can grow: Beech, Oak, Walnut, Maple…

11. Primary Succession

12. What if?

13. Secondary Succession Organisms are destroyed but the soil is safe. The soil already contains the seeds of weeds, grasses, and trees. More seeds are carried to the area by wind and birds. Succession begins again but the primary species are different. Because soil is present, this succession is faster.

14. Secondary Succession 1. Some seeds in the soil begin to grow. Larger shrubs move in . 3. Fast growing trees (such as pines) move in 4. These are followed by slower-growing hardwood trees

15. Secondary Seccession

16. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 16 The Climax Community A climax community is a mature, stable community that is the final stage of ecological succession. In an ecosystem with a climax community, the conditions continue to be suitable for all the members of the community. Any particular region has its own set of climax species, which are the plants that are best adapted for the area and will persist after succession has finished, until another disturbance clears the area.

17. Climax Community A stable group of plants and animals that is the end result of the succession process Does not always mean big trees Grasses in prairies Cacti in deserts

18. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 18 These are Climax Communities

19. Threats to Climax Communities Forest Fires Humans building cities and roads Flooding, Volcanic eruptions Clearing a community for agricultural purposes Anything that destroys the existing community, but much of the soil remains. Sometimes, some of the organisms remain as well.

20. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 20 Two main physical factors determine the nature of the community that develops in an area. These are temperature and the amount of rainfall . Temperature Cold Cold desert Tundra Taiga Moderate Temperate forest Grassland Deciduous forest Hot Hot desert Savanna Tropical forest Rainfall (inches) 0-10 10-20 20-30+

21. 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C 21 Pioneer species colonize a bare or disturbed site. Soil building. Changes in the physical environment occur (e.g., light, moisture). New species of plants displace existing plants because their seedlings are better able to become established in the changed environment. Newly arriving species alter the physical conditions, often in ways that enable other species to become established. Animals come in with or after the plants they need to survive. Eventually a climax community that is more or less stable will become established and have the ability to reproduce itself. Disturbances will start the process of succession again. A summary of changes that occur during succession:

22. Thank you for listening!